By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed its full workforce, including Special Marshals, to highways nationwide to ensure seamless movement of commuters during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

This measure aims to safeguard lives and property, ensuring smooth traffic flow as Nigerians travel for the festivities.

The 2025 Eid-el-Fitr Special Patrol, scheduled to run from Thursday, March 27 to Wednesday, April 2, targets key objectives, including reducing Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs), fatalities, and injuries.

The operation will also focus on the strict enforcement of road traffic laws, swift response to emergencies, clearance of road obstructions, and public enlightenment on safe driving practices.

In a statement made available to Weekend Hope, FRSC Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed that the corps had mobilised extensive logistics and operational materials across the country to facilitate a successful exercise.

He said, “The logistics include the deployment of 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks. In addition, radar guns will be used to check speed violations, while 16 traffic control camps and 53 critical routes have been designated for surveillance.”

Furthermore, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed has directed all Commanding Officers to maintain 24-hour surveillance on high-traffic and gridlock-prone areas, activate 23 Help Areas, fully utilise 59 Emergency Ambulance (Zebra) Points, mobilise Roadside Clinics, and sustain round-the-clock broadcasts on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM.

The special patrol will cover critical road corridors, including Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu, and Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos.

The operation will be conducted in shifts: 6:00 am – 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm, with night rescue teams on standby across all operational commands.

According to the Corps Marshal, the special patrol was necessitated by the annual surge in traffic volume, excessive speed, vehicle overloading, impatience among motorists, and the use of faulty vehicles, all of which contribute to road crashes and congestion.

He emphasised that enforcement would focus on speeding and reckless driving, overloading of goods, animals, and passengers, lane indiscipline and route violations, road obstructions, phone use while driving, failure to use seatbelts or child restraints, non-compliance with passengers’ manifest regulations, and use of mechanically deficient vehicles.

Additionally, Mobile Courts will be constituted nationwide to try traffic offenders on the spot.

FRSC officers will work alongside the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), NGO ambulance service providers, the National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS), and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure the operation’s success.

Mohammed further directed officers to identify alternative routes during traffic congestion and provide real-time updates on distressed areas requiring intervention.

He urged the public to download the FRSC Mobile App for real-time traffic updates and incident reporting. In case of emergencies, he advised road users to call 122 (toll-free) or contact National Traffic Radio via 08052997848 and 09139600107.